Without going into too much painful detail, we had a mishap several week-ends ago. While working with sand bag crews on the Mississippi River, the truck and camper fell into the flood waters as a road collapsed. Because of a number of issues dealing with the wrecker truck, we had to release the camper as the truck was reeled up over the bank. The good news is that the truck is as good as new after a thorough rinsing, inspection of brakes, etc. The bad news is that the camper was thoroughly drowned. A lot of people had far worse trouble than we did, so we consider ourselves lucky. The floods are ongoing as I write.
Our planned trip to Montana in June is called off. heh.
However, I have now convinced my dear Jane that its time to really update the TC. After drying for several days we pulled out the interior. Amazingly the Zolatone paint that I had applied last year is good as new after a cleaning.
Without burdening the TC family overmuch, I'd like to ask some advice other than don't park too near a flood :-).
My DW was overjoyed that I had a plan for the bathroom: a composting toilet developed by Nature's Head http://www.natureshead.net/. Our holding tank was practically unusable and there was no real grey water tank on the 67 Avion. Our plan is to rip out the bathroom and install one of these and converting the blackwater to a greywater tank. Any experience with this?
Finally, the roof. I admit that I have not really done the work I should have. Now, I need to remove the various sealants on the roof and repair it. We are also setting up for a solar installation. Any advice as to this?
Here's hoping I have posted the pictures correctly. And many thanks in advance for your advice.
Our planned trip to Montana in June is called off. heh.
However, I have now convinced my dear Jane that its time to really update the TC. After drying for several days we pulled out the interior. Amazingly the Zolatone paint that I had applied last year is good as new after a cleaning.
Without burdening the TC family overmuch, I'd like to ask some advice other than don't park too near a flood :-).
My DW was overjoyed that I had a plan for the bathroom: a composting toilet developed by Nature's Head http://www.natureshead.net/. Our holding tank was practically unusable and there was no real grey water tank on the 67 Avion. Our plan is to rip out the bathroom and install one of these and converting the blackwater to a greywater tank. Any experience with this?
Finally, the roof. I admit that I have not really done the work I should have. Now, I need to remove the various sealants on the roof and repair it. We are also setting up for a solar installation. Any advice as to this?
Here's hoping I have posted the pictures correctly. And many thanks in advance for your advice.
Well its been a busy time since my last post. Thanks for the welcome I have to say this forum is just a wealth of information and I want to thank those that take the time to pass along all their knowledge.
I am now a little confused, I was advised the camper was a 1969 however on the water tank I noted a date stamp of 1970 I suppose the tank could have been replaced). The serial number is GJ-050. Does anyone have a list comparing serial numbers to year of manufacture?
Ticki2 โ Unfortunately the pictures were a little deceiving. However there are no bullet holes as others have been dealing with. There is damage around the front right lower corner and near the clearance light on the front right corner. For some reason a lot of the rivets were missing underneath the overhang. I was able to source some water resistant (nothing is waterproof) rivets at a tractor trailer repair place and they also advised they could supply roof sealant and any aluminium I would need.
I have had to rewire the exterior lights as the PO had not hooked up the reverse or clearance lights and the wire that was used was a couple of pieces of old extension cord. I took the time to put on a new 7 pin plug and 7 strand wire. Surprise, surprise almost all the lights work. Only one clearance light on the front had to be checked and it was missing the bulb and the ground was not connected.
As there was propane remaining in one of the old horizontal tanks Iโve confirmed that the propane stove works. The other tank has been given to a friend in the propane business to get re-certified and filled. He was surprised by the tank as he had never seen one before. I have not checked the heater yet but Iโm not planning any winter camping at the moment โฆ not quite as cold as where Garry is camping.
When taking off all the upper cabinet doors I found out I am missing two of the stays. Does anyone know where I can purchase them? Picture below. I have purchased the two types available from Lee Valley which is a very good source of hardware but they are not the same length. I checked Vintage RV and unfortunately they do not have anything listed. Also noted multiple types of screws and some damage to the cabinet carcases where the screw holes are. Now I see some finer woodworking in my future. The upper cabinet doors painted and just finishing off a couple coats of varathane before the re-install which should be done this coming weekend.
Here are some interior pictures currently. I repainted the top of the stove. Condition is pretty good until you look in the "closet" and find the skeltons.
Finally got around to putting water into the water tank โฆ which thankfully held. Turned on the old par pump and โฆ. no water movement. Fortunately a friend has just replaced a pump he had in his Fuzion toy hauler because he wanted one with more flow. When I tested it, the pump worked but the pipework to the hot water tank had been disconnected. The fitting is an odd size so once I find some fittings I will have to try the water systems again. Ultimate goal for now is to get water to the toilet. If not we will just fill up some water cans and take with us. It is now obvious PO did not antifreeze the water system so I am concerned on how much hidden damage there is. I agree 67Avion I see pex in my avions's future but for now ...
Drove through some very heavy rains the other morning and noted a leak around the rear vent and coming out of the top of the front curbside window. A look at the roof and again some interesting products up there done by POs. One side of the roof is covered in a metallic foil put on in approximately 6 inch strips the length of the camper.
So bottom line; I have leaks, wood rot, plumbing issues, no steps, no hot water tank โฆ and the bathroom will need to be gutted and rebuilt properly. However we stayed in it the other night, and enjoyed it. So for now the plan is to do the minimum needed in order to spend two weeks going through western Newfoundland, Labrador, eastern Quebec and New Brunswick. Garry I will take a page from your book, use it as is and repair and modify when time and money allows.
I had the awning partially out and it looks in pretty good shape. Meant to set it up and take some pictures, will do so for my next post, this one is definitely long enough, my apologies.
I am now a little confused, I was advised the camper was a 1969 however on the water tank I noted a date stamp of 1970 I suppose the tank could have been replaced). The serial number is GJ-050. Does anyone have a list comparing serial numbers to year of manufacture?
Ticki2 โ Unfortunately the pictures were a little deceiving. However there are no bullet holes as others have been dealing with. There is damage around the front right lower corner and near the clearance light on the front right corner. For some reason a lot of the rivets were missing underneath the overhang. I was able to source some water resistant (nothing is waterproof) rivets at a tractor trailer repair place and they also advised they could supply roof sealant and any aluminium I would need.
I have had to rewire the exterior lights as the PO had not hooked up the reverse or clearance lights and the wire that was used was a couple of pieces of old extension cord. I took the time to put on a new 7 pin plug and 7 strand wire. Surprise, surprise almost all the lights work. Only one clearance light on the front had to be checked and it was missing the bulb and the ground was not connected.
As there was propane remaining in one of the old horizontal tanks Iโve confirmed that the propane stove works. The other tank has been given to a friend in the propane business to get re-certified and filled. He was surprised by the tank as he had never seen one before. I have not checked the heater yet but Iโm not planning any winter camping at the moment โฆ not quite as cold as where Garry is camping.
When taking off all the upper cabinet doors I found out I am missing two of the stays. Does anyone know where I can purchase them? Picture below. I have purchased the two types available from Lee Valley which is a very good source of hardware but they are not the same length. I checked Vintage RV and unfortunately they do not have anything listed. Also noted multiple types of screws and some damage to the cabinet carcases where the screw holes are. Now I see some finer woodworking in my future. The upper cabinet doors painted and just finishing off a couple coats of varathane before the re-install which should be done this coming weekend.
Here are some interior pictures currently. I repainted the top of the stove. Condition is pretty good until you look in the "closet" and find the skeltons.
Finally got around to putting water into the water tank โฆ which thankfully held. Turned on the old par pump and โฆ. no water movement. Fortunately a friend has just replaced a pump he had in his Fuzion toy hauler because he wanted one with more flow. When I tested it, the pump worked but the pipework to the hot water tank had been disconnected. The fitting is an odd size so once I find some fittings I will have to try the water systems again. Ultimate goal for now is to get water to the toilet. If not we will just fill up some water cans and take with us. It is now obvious PO did not antifreeze the water system so I am concerned on how much hidden damage there is. I agree 67Avion I see pex in my avions's future but for now ...
Drove through some very heavy rains the other morning and noted a leak around the rear vent and coming out of the top of the front curbside window. A look at the roof and again some interesting products up there done by POs. One side of the roof is covered in a metallic foil put on in approximately 6 inch strips the length of the camper.
So bottom line; I have leaks, wood rot, plumbing issues, no steps, no hot water tank โฆ and the bathroom will need to be gutted and rebuilt properly. However we stayed in it the other night, and enjoyed it. So for now the plan is to do the minimum needed in order to spend two weeks going through western Newfoundland, Labrador, eastern Quebec and New Brunswick. Garry I will take a page from your book, use it as is and repair and modify when time and money allows.
I had the awning partially out and it looks in pretty good shape. Meant to set it up and take some pictures, will do so for my next post, this one is definitely long enough, my apologies.
